By Bill Cleary

Gloucester City is one of 40 communities to be named by Philadelphia Magazine as A Community to Watch. The March magazine article, written by Michael Callahan, looked at hundreds of towns both in the Philadelphia region and in the South Jersey area before picking the next hot neighborhoods.

Some of the guidelines Callahan used to choose the elite 40 towns, included such things as the proximity to center City Philadelphia, big shifts in population and wealth revitalized downtown.

Timothy Haas, Philly Magazine online editor was asked what stood out about Gloucester City. Why did Philly Magazine predict Gloucester City\’s name will go up in lights in the next 10 years? Why was it chosen as A Community to Watch?

 Haas said, \”The idea wasn\’t that each of the 40 communities matched each of the trends; just at least one of them. Gloucester City fits within trend #3 as a town with good bones — its walk able, it\’s on the water, it has solid housing stock, and is of course very close to the bridge to Philly. \” 

Besides Gloucester City the other communities named as A Community to Watch in Camden County were Collingswood, Haddon Township and Merchantville.

The Gloucester County communities chosen were Glassboro, Mullica Hill, Pitman and Swedesboro.

The Burlington County communities, Bordentown City, Burlington City, Palmyra, and Riverton.

Haas said, \”we have highlighted towns and neighborhoods we predict will see big popularity gains (and hence price gains) in the next five to 10 years, or least be pretty solid bets. 

For example, in Gloucester City there were 216 homes sold in 2006 with a median price of $119,950, the one year price shift was 22 percent, the three-year price shift was 68 percent. The magazine predicts in 10-years the value of homes in Gloucester City will increase by 50 percent. The non-rush drive time to Center City Philadelphia, 15 minutes.

There were 201 homes sold in Collingswood in 2006 with a median price of $228,000. The one-year price shift increase by 4 percent; the three-year price shift, 41 percent. In 10-years the value of homes will increase by 112 percent. The non-rush drive time to Center City, 15 minutes.

Haddon Township, 201 homes sold in 2006 with a median price of $243,000. One-year price, 2 percent; the three-year price shift, 34 percent. In 10-years the value of homes will increase by 71 percent. The non-rush drive time to Center City, 17 minutes.

I have been so preoccupied with other stories I missed the great news about ClearysNotebook hitting the milestone of 50,000 visitors earlier today.

The blog was started in August just as a lark. My knowledge of computers is limited while my familiarity about operating a Blog was zero. But I thought what the heck I would give it a try.

I never dreamed the popularity of the site would grow as fast as it did. The success of the site is owed to all of you. Your encouraging words have kept me going.

Looking at the other stats I noticed the site has logged 2, 373 posts in that period of time and 592 people wrote in to post a comment. Plus there are over 1000 photos available for viewing.

In the beginning ClearysNotebook was receiving on average 500 visitors a week. But soon after the numbers started to increase and increase. Now on a daily basis the number of visitors average between 500 and 600 a day. While the number of page views on a daily basis is 1100.

My goal is to have that number of daily visitors reach a 1000 a day. I plan to make some more improvements such as adding videos to view (just need to learn how to do it).

Thank you again for your support. If you see any area where I can improve give me yell.

Bill

After becoming Chairman of the City\’s Democrat Organization last month, my first order of business was to issue a letter to all registered Democrats in Gloucester City seeking individuals who would be interested in running for either City Council or the City\’s Democrat Committee. The letter appeared in the GCN and a number of people answered the call. I held discussions with the current members of the Democrat Executive Board, as well as the Independent Mayor and Council. The purpose of these discussions was to ensure that the Democrat Party put forth the best candidates for Gloucester City. As a result, I am pleased to say that the Democrat organization is putting forth a united slate of candidates for Gloucester City\’s future.

Before I address this year\’s candidates, I first want to address those individuals who will not be seeking reelection this year. Democrat County Committee members not seeking reelection include: Roseanne Michel, Paul Kormann, Margaret Barr, Jim Rauchut, Jean Kaye and Patrick Keating. These fine individuals have been the backbone of Democrat campaigns for a number of years. They have promoted Democrat values and worked diligently for every Democrat candidate on the ballot. Their service has not only been appreciated by me, but by the entire organization. Their tireless work will not be forgotten, and it is my hope that they will be able to pass some of their experience on to those individuals who will be running this year.

City Council members not seeking reelection include Anthony \’Rocky\’ Kormann, Elsie Loebell and Jean Kaye. Rocky has served the residents of the 1^st Ward for a number of years with honor and dignity. He has worked to ensure their interests, as well as the interests of all City residents, were met. Elsie replaced my grandfather on City Council, and I still recall stuffing envelopes in her living room. As the senior member of council, she has served on all most all committees and has truly been a voice for the residents of the 2^nd Ward. Jean has led the fight on the housing committee to ensure our City\’s housing stock is held to the highest standard. She has been a tireless worker for the residents of the 3^rd Ward and she has always been accessible to their needs. Rocky, Elsie and Jean, I thank each of you for your years of service to Gloucester City and the Democrat Organization.

As was mentioned in last week\’s GCN the endorsed Democrat council candidates for 2007 include: John Hutchinson – 1^st Ward; Bruce Parry – 2^nd Ward; and Kellie Ferry – 3^rd Ward. These individuals have been involved with various organizations for a number of years and I believe that they will continue the tireless work of their predecessors on City Council. The 2007 Democrat Committee candidates include: 1^st Ward – AnnaMarie Smith, Carol Stafford, Patrick Hagan and Robert Saunders; 2^nd Ward – Bernadette Flinn, Vanessa Courant, Raymond W. Coxe and Frank Wunsch; and 3™ Ward – Mary DeFoney, Helen \”Lynn\” Bucher, Daniel Cosner and Sean Murphy. Again, these fine individuals are not new to Gloucester City. They will continue promoting Democrat values as well as Democrat candidates. They will be there to be YOUR liaison to your respective council persons.

On a personal note, last week\’s GCN article stated that \”.. .the newcomers of the City Democrat organization have won out,\” and \”.. .the New Organization.\” These statements are truly false and it is a disservice to have these statements printed in the City News. The only winners are the residents of Gloucester City. They will have individuals who are willing to work tirelessly on their behalf to continue economic development, improving our infrastructure, working with our Board of Education and striving to take Gloucester City to that next level. There is no new organization, and an apology should go all too all current and past members of the Gloucester City Democrat Club. Each month the Club advertises its meeting and in the advertisement it states to \”.. .bring a friend,\” so while we may have new members joining, which is a good thing, I can assure you, there is NO new organization.

Raymond W. Coxe Chairman

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ-The Gloucester City Pond Gang poses for a photo taken in the 1950\’s at Martins Lake, Brown Street and Sparks Avenue.

The \”Rough & Ready\” guys are (bottom) from left, Jungle Murphy, Pete Coppola, Bob Grub, Beaver, Butch Shaffer, Jake Burkardt, Bill \”Wiby\” Yeager, Frank \”Reds\” Grandizio, Jim Clements, Stanley Schellcroft.

Do you have a photo to share? Send it to [email protected]

A lifelong resident of Gloucester City, NJ, age 80, passed away with his family by his bedside on April 26, at the home of his sister and brother in law Edna and Rich Geiser. Survived by his daughter Mary Jane (George) Muncey, grandchildren John Black and Melissa (Colin) Law, and great granchildren Nicole Black and Cameron and Avery Law. Walter was the son of the late Charles P. and Catherine Smith, Sr. Dear brother of Margaret (Tom Schoell) Hargesheimer, Edna (Rich) Geiser, both of Gloucester City, John (Lorraine) Smith and James Smith both of Westville. His God Son Mike Hargesheimer, special friends Kenny and Chrissy Martin of Cape May, and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews also survive him. He was predeceased by his siblings Catherine McCormick, Lena, George, Harry and Charles Smith, Jr.

In his younger days Walter enjoyed roller skating with his sister Lena and going to the casinos with his brother in law Rich. A proud Army Veteran of WWII, Walter was a member of the Townsend C. Young VFW Post #3620, and The American Legion Post #135 of Gloucester City.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet on Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and again on Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Etherington-Creran Funeral Home, 700 Powell St., Gloucester City, NJ. Walter\’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM. Interment Woodbury Memorial Park, West Deptford, NJ.

 

IN THE LOBBY

BOTTOM OF THE BARREL
Posted on Thursday, April 26 by dailymuse

There\’s an empty lot where the old Chester A. Redshaw Elementary School used to stand in New Brunswick where we ought to place a sign that reads: \”Your tax dollars at work.\”

Instead of being the home to a brand new school, that lot now stands as a testament to the empty promises that the state has made to its students, and the empty wallets of the taxpayers who have been fleeced as the state continues to squander the money we give it.

Note by Bill: Gloucester City has a similar lot (s). Seventy homes along with one business were demolished to make way for a New Elementary Middle School that was promised several years ago. State and County politicians continue to tell Gloucester City residents that the school will be built. However, the more you read about what is going on around the state the more it appears this school like others will never be built. The reason is clear, there is NO MONEY!

(In The Lobby Continues)

And people wonder why New Jerseyans are cynical when it comes to how government spends their tax dollars.

Here\’s a perfect example why.

In its infinite wisdom, the Schools Construction Corp. (SCC) has run out of money long before it finished dozens of new school projects that were promised – and in many cases even begun – in the state\’s poorest school districts.

\”We\’re at the bottom of the barrel in terms of dollars,\” said Scott A. Weiner, CEO of the SCC.

Yes, we\’d agree that the SCC is at the bottom of the barrel – especially when it comes to promising what it delivers, guarding against waste, and making sure that the state\’s tax dollars are spent wisely.

Mind you, this is not an agency that was poorly funded. This agency received a staggering $6 billion in order to replace overcrowded and decrepit schools in the state\’s poorest school districts.

Somehow, they managed to run out of money. Several audits found that weak management and overspending on professional fees had cost the program hundreds of millions of dollars.

Two years ago the SCC had to reduce the list of projects they would fund to 59. Yesterday, they dropped that number to 32.

Who knows what they\’ll drop it to next year.

So where does the SCC go to fix its troubles – you guessed it, the Legislature, pleading that they need even more money, another $3.25 billion! That\’s another $3.25 billion, by the way, from us.

\”If the Legislature does not act within a number of months, the number of impacted communities will grow,\” Weiner ominously warned.

Question: why is it the Legislature\’s responsibility to fix a problem that poor management created? It wasn\’t the Legislature that went ahead and knocked down the Redshaw School without knowing if it had the money to actually build a new school in its place. For that, we can thank the SCC.

You might be wondering, what has the $6 billion we\’ve already plunked down for this sinking ship brought us so far? According to the Ledger, we\’ve gotten the following since 2000: 29 completed new school buildings and 55 others either under construction or on the drawing board. In other words, assuming they don\’t decide next year that they can\’t fund the 55 currently in the works, our $6 billion will have paid for 77 new schools.

That equals more than $77 million per school.

Quite the price tag, eh?

And, in case you were wondering if the SCC had perhaps learned its lesson, consider this fact: The state already has invested $120 million in the 27 school projects suspended yesterday, and plans to spend another $40 million completing design work so they will be ready to bid for construction if lawmakers approve additional funding.

\”The reality is, if the funding isn\’t forthcoming, these projects don\’t get built,\” Weiner said.

The reality is, Mr. Weiner, you\’re out of cash! So why are you spending $40 million more of our tax dollars on projects that you yourself admit may never be built?

Projects like the Redshaw school, which, as the Ledger tells us, is sitting in the cast aside pile of the 27 schools that the SCC has decided it can\’t fund. The students who used to go to school at that empty lot are now going to school in a warehouse, with no money to build them a new school, unless the Legislature comes up with more of our money.

Which wouldn\’t be necessary, had anybody at the SCC been watching how the money was spent in the first place.

Which is why, the SCC says, they need more of our money.

We\’d say it was unbelievable, but this is New Jersey.

Strapped SCC pulls the plug on 27 schools

Abbott school projects list pared as SCC funds run out

On April 27, 2007. (nee Batten) Age 70. Of Gloucester City. Loving wife of 47 years to Benjamin F. King, Jr. Devoted mother of Benjamin F. King, III (Maura) of Glassboro, Jeanne Snyder (Richard) of Gloucester Heights, Michael T. King (Kathy) of Cherry Hill and Carol Dera (Edward) of East Greenwich Township. Beloved grandmother of Brandon, Jeffrey, Nicholas, Benjamin, Emily, Jill, Laura, Alex, Mark and Bailey.

Margaret was born, raised and lived her entire 70 years in Gloucester City. She was a graduate of Gloucester Catholic High School Class of 1954 and was involved with a lunch group of her classmates to the present day. Margaret was a lifelong and devoted parishioner of Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church in Gloucester City.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Tuesday Evening from 6 to 8 pm and Wednesday morning from 10 am to 11 am at Saint Mary\’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am in the church.

Interment New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. There will be no viewing at the funeral home. Family requests that memorial donations in lieu of flowers be made in Margaret\’s memory to the American Cancer Society: 1851 Old Cuthbert Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 or to the Dominican Sisters of Hope: 820 Hudson Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Please write in the memo of the check Margaret Ellen King. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Margaret Ellen King.

The 12th Annual Rams on Reef, Saturday, August 11th, from 2-7 pm at the LaCosta Bar in Sea Isle, NJ. $30 at the door entitles you to unlimited draft beer, wine and soft drinks. A barbecue buffet of grilled chicken breast, hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad and tossed salad. For further information contact Colleen McIntyre [email protected] or Annamarie
Kinsey at [email protected].

. Father Sullivan Alumni Golf Tournament .This year\’s tournament will be held at Ramblewood Golf Club on Monday, June 4th. Registration will begin at 11:30. A putting contest will precede the 1:15 shotgun start. As usual, our format will be best ball of foursome. This golf tournament is named for Rev. John Sullivan who spent over twenty years of his life serving the Gloucester Catholic community. \”Sully\” was a friend to all who came in contact with him. We name the tournament in his honor to carry on the spirit of commitment that he gave to Gloucester Catholic. Profit from this tournament help fund Alumni Scholarships and the Athletic Department. For more information please contact Annette Reiter 856-468-4976 or e-mail [email protected] .

. Alumni Appeal is currently underway. Funds help support Alumni Scholarships, an Alumni Bus and provide financial assistance for hardship students. Donations can now be made up line. Please link to http://www.gchsrams.org/Alumni/Donate1.asp for more information. Visit our web page www.gchsrams.org , sign our alumni e-mail directory and visit our Guest Book.

Send us your alumni news. For more information on these events please e-mail [email protected]. If you are not receiving the newsletter to your home provide me your mailing
address and I will include you on the mailing list.

Pat Murphy, Alumni Relations